This year’s Met Gala 2021 featured many old and new faces of celebrities and influencers. Not only were some of the people who attended unexpected but so were their outfits.

Referred to as the fashion world’s Oscar Night, the Met Gala is a grand display of art as fashion and fashion as art. Celebrities ranging from models to actors, and music artists partake in the year’s most extreme looks to celebrate and fundraise at a new exhibit from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This year’s Met Gala welcomed high-profile celebrities as well as social media influencers. 

Usually, everyone dresses to a theme, and for the 2021 Met Gala, it was American Independence. Its purpose was to give guests a chance to explore America’s identity. However, it was felt by the public that many celebrities missed the meaning behind it and did not follow the theme.  Other were bothered by the presence of influencers.  These controversy impacted the prestige of the event.

VHS students who are fans of the event had strong opinions about both the  unexpected guest list and the “dress code.” 

Kendall Jenner wearing Givenchy was VHS senior Stella Shepard’s favorite Met Gala look:

“I like how simple and elegant it looks. The crystal neck and shoulder piece look very beautiful together.”

Senior Rose Arias, shared the same opinion pointing out how “She was able to stand out just by literally being covered in crystals.”

Another favorite look was Hunter Schafer wearing Prada. Senior Sofia Saj felt that each element of this look that included “her hair, makeup, nails, and just everything overall went together perfectly in giving a futuristic look.”

Schafer’s outfit, complete with a headpiece matching her dress and white eye contacts, gave her a futuristic energy and actually provided a message as she wanted to celebrate an independent trans jewelry designer’s work.

Infamous celebrity Kim Kardashian wearing Balenciaga was student senior Liliana Freire’s least favorite Met Gala look:

“It looked like a Halloween costume. I feel like there isn’t a clear message, and I don’t see how this fits into the theme of American Independence.” Sofia was also not a fan of this look. She feels as though there was no clear message and it simply made no sense to wear for this type of event. Despite ranking this look as her least favorite, she did enjoy reading about people’s thoughts about this look on Twitter. 

Asap Rocky wearing Eli Russel Linnetz was the least favorite of one friend of ours who does not attend VHS.  She felt as though “He put zero effort and just looks like Fruity Pebbles cereal.” As he did not follow the theme of American Independence, his look was also the least favorite of Rose, who said:

“I am not sure why he thought going to the Met Gala with a thrifted quilt draped on himself would be a good idea.” 

Nearly everyone whom we asked agreed that almost no one followed the theme of American Independence, but there was someone who visibly attempted to carry out this year’s theme. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, known as AOC, wore a white dress by Brother Vellies, with its backside covered by the phrase “Tax The Rich” written in bold red lettering. AOC’s dress also stirred controversy as critics pointed out that she was criticizing the wealthy while attending an exclusive event for the wealthy.

Being limited to a few high school students’ opinions makes it only imagine what the rest of the world may think about these looks and what controversy a few looks have caused.